Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1887-12-17
TIE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
An Account OF she Fsusaaess Trans
acted An Has Department. the PAS


An Account of she Esussaess Trans-
acted tn Has Department the Pas,
Year.
WASHINGTON, Des. 8--The annual report
OF Attorney General. Garland gives a fill ac-
count OF the business OF the department dur
ing the fiscal year. The number OF ordinary
suits now pending in the court OF claims. 4,
lilo, involving the sum OF sls.25O,0OO. The
number of cases flled under tho Bowman act
is l,Sl9 involving about s5O,Ool,OO0. The petit.
tons flied in French spollation cases mum.
Der $3.50, representing 2,fS5 vessels, and about
So, 100000. During the fiscal year LII civil
suits were terminated; or judgments were
for the United States, i03 for defendants, 70S
dismissed, Is a ppealed 10 the circuit court
and "a to the supreme court
During the year there were 1901
criminal prosecutions, mostly for violations
of customs and internal revenue laws. The
attorney general calls attention TO sugges-
lions and recommendations made in his last
annual report In regard TO matters calling for
remedial legislation and again urges the
necessity of immediate action thereon.
These subjects are as follows: ices o;
maTshals in territories, pay of deputy mar.
fiscal ior calendar year, protection to civil
officers and witnesses, fees of witnesses and
laws, and Juries in district OF Columbia. In
regard to the confinement and treatment of
United states prisoners, the attorney gem
eral says he is more than ever convinced of
the absolute need of u government peniten-
tiary and reformntory. He also calls attention
to the necessity for additional legislation for
restoring and preserving court records. and
makes an urgent appeal In behalf of certain
changes in the judicial system OF the country.
He urges an appropriation for the erection, ON
ground adjacent to the department OF Justice,
Of suitable building for the accommodation
of the supreme court and other courts and
commissioners of the United States. He also
I. fs.fr
portraits of the judges of the supreme court
To adorn the chambers of that court. Atten-
ton is also Invited to the necessity ofextend-
ing the jurisdiction offederal courts TO crimes
committed upon American vessels navigat-
ing the great lakes. Congress is urged to
take some action for the settlement OF
for services during and prior to the year 1855.
The attorney general says that increased ex-
Terlence ofthe department since the passage
OF the interstate commerce bill. Prior to the
passage of that bill marshals were furnished
with free transportation over the various
lines of railway while in the service ofpro-
cess. since that date, however, no free trans
portgtion Is furnished, and railways charge
marshal for his travel in such service. The
attorney general, in closing his re-
port, devotes chapter TO the CON
sHt He Saws h .The dlnieaiiy q
the questions involved suggests the necessity
OF yigilsnt, exhaustive Judicial investiga::
ton. / therefore recommend the passage OF
an act amendatory of the act of the S0Jh OF
January, 1885. which shall confer authority
upon the court of claims to render Judgment
in the cases provided for by the act, instead
OF repoI ting Its conclusions to congress as ii
is now required to do, and TO grant to either
party, the government or claimant, the right
of appeal to the supreme court OF the United
States from the decision of the court Of claims
on suits filed under the act OF 1885. IL is not
probable that either government or claimant
will find ii necessary 10 resort TO appeals In
more than a few cases, but as the law now
stands, no appeal can be taken by either
marty.